Cancer

• Cancer


  Uncontrolled cell growth and division
• Cancer


  • Caused by changes in the cell
  • Results in tumour formation (a mass of cells)
  • Not all tumors are cancerous
  • Can be benign or malignant
• Benign tumor


  • Grows until it takes up more space
  • Stays in one place (usually a lump)
  • Isn't dangerous or cancerous
• Malignant tumor


  • Spreads to neighboring tissues
  • Cells break off into bloodstream
  • Invade different parts of the body
  • Dangerous and cancerous
• Factors that increase chance of cancer


  • Anyone can get cancer
  • Risk factors only increase chance, not guarantee
• Cancer survival rates are at an all time high
• Cancer risk factors

  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • UV exposure
  • Viral infections
  • Genetics
• Smoking is linked to various cancers including lung, mouth, bowel, stomach and cervix
• Obesity is linked to increased cancer risk
• UV exposure increases risk of skin cancer
• Viral infections like hepatitis increase risk of liver, bowel and kidney cancers
• Inheriting faulty genes can make people susceptible to certain cancers, like BRCA mutations increasing risk of breast and ovarian cancer